'70s TV Classic 'The Waltons' Comes To DVD
by Randall Murphree
May 5, 2004
(AgapePress) - Virtually every family with a television set or two in the1970s became friends with John-Boy Walton and the entire Walton clan as they struggled their way through the Great Depression. Memories of the hour-long drama series can still evoke strong emotions from fans. They close their eyes and hear the crickets on a dark night on Walton's Mountain. They hear the series' trademark "Good night, John-Boy, Good night, Mary Ellen ..." as the lights go out. They empathize with 17-year-old John-Boy and his dream of becoming a writer.There's good news for fans of the nine-season CBS series. Warner Home Video (WHV) will offer the first season (1972-73) on a set of five DVDs, to be in stores May 11. All 24 episodes of the season – more than 20 hours of content – are included.
The series was set in rural Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains. The Waltons were a poor family – grandma and grandpa, mom and dad, and seven children – who ran a lumber mill in the 1930s. While they barely scraped by physically, the Walton family thrived emotionally and spiritually. Love, loyalty, hard work, sacrifice, vision and faith were key elements in their success.
The Waltons debuted September 14, 1972, and became an instant hit. For nine seasons, the Depression era family endeared themselves to the next generation of American families. The series was based on the semi-autobiographical novel Spencer's Mountain by Earl Hamner, Jr. A movie by the same title was adapted as The Homecoming, a 1971 CBS TV holiday movie.
"I have vivid memories of our family gathering around the television set to watch The Waltons," said AFA President Tim Wildmon. "Each episode was an entertaining and uplifting event for us." Wildmon, the oldest of four children of AFA Chairman Don Wildmon, was nine when the series premiered.
"What a difference a generation makes," Wildmon continued. "Look at today's 'family' dramas -- The O.C. or Judging Amy, for example. The few that are on the air would make viewers think the American family is totally dysfunctional. Prime-time has come a long way – in the wrong direction, I think!"
Even in its day, The Waltons was a stark contrast to the 1970s "socially relevant" and politically correct sitcoms such as Maude and All in the Family that made light of family values. Early detractors called The Waltons "sappy," "syrupy," "too sweet," and "unrealistic."
Nonetheless, it won critical acclaim and viewers' hearts almost instantly. Critics thought CBS was not giving the series a fair shot by scheduling it against NBC's top-rated The Flip Wilson Show and ABC's The Mod Squad. Yet, in their first season, the Walton clan claimed eleven Emmy nominations and five winners.
Richard Thomas won the Outstanding Actor Emmy for his role as John-Boy, and Michael Learned won Outstanding Actress for her role as Olivia, mother of John-Boy and his six lively siblings. By the next year, they owned the ratings and the series stayed in the top 20 for years thereafter.
WHV Vice President Christine Martinez said, "Without a doubt, The Waltons is one of the most endearing and special television programs ever to air. Its extraordinary writing, performances and production values were well before their time." The series' timeless appeal is reflected in the fact that it is one of the Family Channel's top shows. The Family Channel purchased exclusive syndication rights in 1991.
Don Wildmon said, "Watching a new episode of The Waltons with the family each week was one of the most positive things television ever brought to our home. I hope today's parents will make sure their children get the chance to see television at its best."
